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| How To Choose An Engagement Ring |
| Oct-15-2008 |
So, you are ready to propose - Congratulations! You have moved to an important phase, buying a diamond engagement ring! This is one of the most important jewelry purchases you will ever have to make, symbolizing your promise to love her forever. Cheers to a long and successful marriage!
Since this is what she has been dreaming about since she was a little girl (no pressure), we have compiled a list of what to look for when looking for THE ideal ring.
First, create a budget. It is a common belief that your ring should cost about two months salary, so this might be where you should start.
Next, figure out the shape of the diamond. There are round, princess-cut diamonds, emerald, marquise, pear, and oval diamonds. The most popular diamond shapes are round and princess due to their high brilliance.
Then, you have to find out the type of metal and ring setting. The most popular choices are 18k or 14k gold in either yellow gold or white gold, and platinum jewelry settings. You can find out which metal for will suit her most by paying attention to what she has in her jewelry box. If your girlfriend wears mostly 14k yellow gold, she'd be pleased with a 14k yellow gold engagement ring. Or, if she likes white gold, you can step up and buy her a platinum engagement ring! If her jewelry box is loaded with antique jewelry, then get her an antique diamond engagement ring.
The ring setting is how the precious stones are held in place. There are a few different types available, such as bezel, prong, chevron, and invisible. Look at the different ring types. If she is an active person, a bezel ring setting would be good because the diamond would be protected. Compare and see the different ring settings and and find rings you think she would like.
Next, the most important part of the process begins- choosing the diamond. Go back to your budget and remember it. This is where you can save or lose the most money.
When choosing loose diamonds or a diamond ring, there are four things to remember, the Four C's- Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat.
Carat measures the size of diamonds. Carat prices rise exponentially; a one-carat diamond ring is worth much more than a ring set with two or three diamonds that totals one carat. A good start is a one-carat stone. When choosing the diamond size for your ring, think about your budget and the look of the diamond you are going for.
Clarity is basically, the clear-ness of the diamond. The more clear a diamond, the more rare and expensive the ring will be. A good clarity to start at is SI2. SI2 means the stone is slightly included. There are inclusions that can be seen with a 10x magnification or very minor inclusions seen with the naked eye. However, how many people do you see walking around with magnifying glasses? An SI2 is a good value because you can't really tell the difference between a VS2 to a SI2 with the naked eye.
The most important thing about the color of white diamonds is to have none. The most rare white diamonds used in engagement rings are those that are free of any color. Look for diamonds with a G-H grade because they are near colorless, and you'll get the best value.
Cut is the thing that makes or breaks diamonds. According to the AGSL guidelines, a diamond with a 0 to 4 grading will have a good cut. If the diamond is cut wrong and is too shallow or deep, light will be lost and it will look too dark. You want to find the most brilliant diamond for your engagement ring that you can get for your budget.
If you are having trouble looking for a diamond engagement ring, recruit some help. Ask her best friend (one who could keep a secret) to help you find out what engagement ring she'd like. Her best friend will most likely have insights on the shape, ring setting and carat size of her ideal engagement ring.
Also, educate yourself. Compare prices by comparing the price per carat of the diamonds. Go to many stores and ask around. Do not buy the first ring you see, but compare and see the many choices and prices. Try to get the best value for you money while getting her something that will melt her heart.
Again, congratulations and good luck with your marriage! May all your dreams come true. |
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Posted by Kim G at 12:52 PM - Link to this entry Share this entry |
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